Multiple Modem Communication System and Method for a Mobile Platform

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation patent application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/223,511, filed Jul. 29, 2016, which is acontinuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/307,228, filed Jun. 17, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,408,129); and thecontents of each of these patent applications are expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to telecommunication systems,and more particularly, to a system, method, and device for facilitatingcommunication between a mobile platform and satellite stations withinone or more telecommunications networks.

BACKGROUND

The evolution of the wireless internet continues to be driven by theongoing technical advances in mobile communication. End users now expectwireless access to the internet from essentially any location. Whilesome particular locations pose technical difficulties to providingwireless internet access, for example, within buildings, uninhabitedterrain, underground or underwater, and aboard vehicles on land, in theair, and at sea; satellite technology has made wireless access to theinternet possible from many of these secluded locations. However, theperformance and reliability (i.e., mobile quality of service (QoS)) ofwireless communication from many of these remote locations may at timesbe disappointing to the end user and/or provider.

Commercial air travelers are able to wirelessly access the internetthrough an aircraft's communication system that interacts with suitablesatellite stations during travel. To maintain communications between thepassengers and various ground networks, the wireless communicationsoften need to be switched among several satellite stations during theflight. Ineffective switching among the several satellite stations maycontribute to intermittent service and dropped connections, whichadversely affect the mobile QoS. It is therefore desirable to reducethese disruptions and provide an effective method of maintainingwireless communication between the passengers and the various satellitestations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, it may be advantageous to create a system and deviceutilizing multiple communication modems to maintain wirelesscommunication between a mobile platform and a satellite communicationnetwork. A mobile communicator coordinates multiple communication linkswith multiple satellite stations via multiple modems. To ensure thequality of the communication between the mobile platform and thecommunication network, a controller is configured to maintain a firstcommunication link with a first satellite station via a first modem,determine a second satellite station for communication over a secondcommunication link, and calculate a time to handoff communication fromthe first communication link to the second communication link.

In one embodiment, a controller for communicating with a first andsecond satellite station from among one or more networks of satellitestations includes a first modem communicating with the first satellitestation via a first frequency over a first communication link, a map ofthe one or more networks of satellite stations including the secondsatellite station, and a processor coupled to the first modem. Theprocessor utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellitestations to determine the second satellite station for communicationwith the controller, and a second modem coupled to the processorcommunicates with the second satellite station via a second frequencyover a second communication link, wherein the processor is configured tocalculate a time to handoff communication from the first communicationlink to the second communication link and timely initiate, coordinate,execute, and/or instruct the handoff accordingly.

In another embodiment, a mobile communicator enables communicationbetween a mobile platform and a first and second satellite stationincluded among one or more networks of satellite stations. The mobilecommunicator includes a controller fixedly attached to the mobileplatform, wherein the controller includes a processor, a first modem, asecond modem, and a memory device. The first modem facilitatescommunication via a first communication link and a first frequencybetween the controller and the first satellite station. The mobilecommunicator further includes a map of the one or more networks ofsatellite stations that includes the second satellite station stored inthe memory device, wherein the controller utilizes the map of the one ormore satellite stations to determine the second satellite station forcommunicating with the controller. The second modem facilitatescommunication via a second communication link and a second frequencybetween the controller and the second satellite station, wherein thecontroller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communicationfrom the first communication link to the second communication link andtimely initiate the communication handoff.

In a further embodiment, a mobile communicator for communicating with afirst and second satellite station from among one or more networks ofsatellite stations is attached to a mobile platform. The mobilecommunicator includes an antenna that facilitates communication betweenthe communicator and the one or more networks of satellite stations, afirst modem coupled to the antenna and configured to communicate withthe first satellite station over a first frequency, and a memory devicestoring a map of the one or more networks of satellite stationsincluding the second satellite station. The communicator furtherincludes a first controller coupled to the first modem, wherein thefirst controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks ofsatellite stations to determine the second satellite station forcommunication with the mobile communicator; a second modem configured tocommunicate with the second satellite station over a second frequency,wherein the first controller is configured to calculate a time tohandoff communication from the first modem to the second modem andtimely initiate the communication handoff based on the calculated time;and a second controller configured to position the antenna toward thesecond satellite based on the communication handoff.

In another further embodiment, a method for communicating between acontroller mounted to a mobile platform and a pair of satellite stationsfrom among one or more networks of satellite stations includes utilizinga first modem and establishing, via one or more processors, a firstcommunication link between the controller and a first satellite station;utilizing one or more maps of the one or more networks of satellitestations and determining, via one or more processors, a second satellitestation for communication with the controller; utilizing a second modemand establishing, via one or more processors, a second communicationlink between the controller and the second satellite station;calculating, via one or more processors, a time to handoff communicationfrom the first communication link to the second communication link basedon the analysis of the one or more communication indicators; preparingthe first and second modems for the communication handoff from the firstcommunication link to the second communication link; and initiating thecommunication handoff based on the calculated time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures described below depict various aspects of the system,method, and device disclosed herein. It should be understood that thefigure depict a particular aspect of the disclosed system, method, anddevice and that each of the figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingfigures in which features depicted in multiple figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example system including a mobilecommunicator mounted to a mobile platform for communicating with aplurality of satellite stations from one or more networks of satellitestations in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method for communicatingwith one or more networks of satellite stations in accordance with theembodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an example mobile communicator capableof communicating with a plurality of satellite stations from one or morenetworks of satellite stations in accordance with the embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of another example mobile communicatorcapable of communicating with a plurality of satellite stations from oneor more networks of satellite stations in accordance with theembodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a system, method, and device forproviding end users, e.g., passengers aboard a mobile platform, with theability to connect end-user mobile communication devices with acommunication network. Although the example mobile platform depicted inthe figures is shown as an airplane, it is to be understood that themobile platform may include a human and/or machine operated land-basedtransport, sea-based transport, and air-based transport, such as, forexample: a vehicle, aircraft, ship, boat, submarine, vessel, automobile,truck, motorcycle, helicopter, train, drone, or other carrier capable ofmoving about the land, sea, or air. Communication between the end-userdevices aboard the mobile platform and the communication network isfacilitated, in part, by two communication links to two or morecommunication satellite stations. More specifically, a mobilecommunicator is fixedly attached or mounted to the mobile platform andincludes at least one controller that is capable of providing in-vehicleconnections to end-user devices and preparing, initiating, coordinating,executing, and/or instructing communications transmitted to, andreceived from, the satellite stations. As further discussed below, thecontroller employs one or more processors and a pair of modems tofacilitate and maintain the wireless communication between the mobilecommunicator and the communication network. In particular, thecontroller utilizes one or more maps of satellite stations capable ofcommunicating with the mobile communicator and calculates whichsatellite station or stations may be capable of communicating with themobile communicator while the mobile platform is travelling. Thecontroller consecutively hands off or hands over the wirelesscommunication among a series of communication links that are eachestablished between the modems aboard the mobile platform and individualcommunication satellite stations that are calculated to come into andout of communication range of the travelling mobile platform.

An example system 100 incorporating the present invention, or an aspectthereof, is shown in FIG. 1. A first satellite station 102 and a secondsatellite station 104 may be part of or associated with one or morenetworks or constellations of communication satellite stations movingabout Earth at various altitudes and speeds. Each communicationsatellite station may include a deterministic path or orbit, forexample, high earth orbit (HEO), geostationary earth orbit (GEO), mediumearth orbit (MEO), and low earth orbit (LEO). The satellite stations102, 104 are capable of relaying information between a mobilecommunicator 106 mounted to a mobile platform 108 and a communicationnetwork 110.

The communication network 110 may include one or more sub-networks thatmay or may not communicate with each other in known ways, and mayfurther include a proprietary network, a satellite sub-network, a securepublic internet, a virtual private network, a groundnetwork/sub-network, a ground-based wireless network, or some other typeof network, such as dedicated access lines, plain ordinary telephonelines, satellite links, and combinations of these, etc. Where thecommunication network 110 includes the internet, data communications maytake place over the network 110 via an internet communication protocol.

Although only two satellite stations 102, 104 are specificallydesignated in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that additional satellitestations may be utilized by the mobile communicator 106 to facilitatecommunication with the communication network 110. In particular, themobile communicator 106 may maintain communication with the network 110over an extended period of time through a series of individualcommunication links with separate satellite stations. For example, themobile communicator 106 is adapted and configured to initiate,coordinate, execute, and/or instruct a handoff of communication from afirst communication link 112 with the first satellite station 102 to asecond communication link 114 with the second satellite station 104.Additionally, the mobile communicator 106 may facilitate and supportbi-directional communication between the communication network 110,which may ultimately include a ground communication network(s), andend-user mobile communication devices 150 (e.g., mobile phone, personalcomputer (laptop/tablet), wearable computing and/or communicatingdevices) operatively coupled to a local area network (LAN) and/or awireless LAN (WLAN) 148 or other type of network configured aboard themobile platform 108.

The mobile communicator 106 is substantially enclosed within the mobileplatform 108 and includes several components fixedly attached or mountedto the mobile platform 108. One or more components of the mobilecommunicator 106 may be housed within one or more line-replaceable units(LRUs) affixed within the mobile platform 108. The LRU is a modular unitthat may include stocked equipment, for example, communicationsequipment or other auxiliary equipment. The modular LRU may be quicklyreplaced with another similarly or differently equipped LRU duringservice or maintenance of the mobile communicator 106.

The components of the mobile communicator 106 may include one or morecontrollers, antennas, analyzers, sensors, positioning modules, andmemory components for facilitating communication with the satellitestations 102, 104. A controller 116 is housed within an LRU 126 affixedto the mobile platform 108. An antenna 118, an analyzer 120 and/orsensor, a positioning module 156 (e.g., global positioning unit (GPS)),and an external memory device 154 (housed within LRU 159) are coupled tothe controller 116 via an input/output (I/O) circuit 122 and arespective conduit 158. Although the I/O circuit 122 is shown in FIG. 1as a single block, it may include a variety of types of I/O circuits.The antenna 118, analyzer 120 and/or sensor, and/or portions thereof,may be housed within a radome 124 extending from the mobile platform108, wherein the antenna 118 may be positioned by the controller 116 forinteraction with the satellite stations.

The controller 116 may include one or more computing devices orprocessors 128 (e.g., microcontroller, microprocessor), a program memory130, a pair of communication modems 132, 134, a random-access memory(RAM) 136, and a communication router module 138; all of which may beinterconnected via an address/data bus 140. It is to be understood thatthe controller 116 may include multiple program memories and RAMs, andthat these program memories and RAMs may be implemented as semiconductormemories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readablememories, for example.

The program memory 130 and/or the RAM 136 may include a plurality ofsoftware applications 142, a plurality of software routines 144, and agraphical user interface (GUI) module 146. The software applications 142and/or routines 144 may include instructions and steps that whenexecuted by the processor 128, such as a controller processor unit(ACPU) for an air-to-ground communication system, for example, cause themobile communicator 106 to facilitate and support bi-directionalend-user device 150 call/data/communication pathways from groundcommunication networks to/from the end-user mobile devices 150. That is,the processor 128 is communicably coupled via a conduit 160 to theLAN/WLAN 148 and configured to enable the mobile communication device150 of an end user, e.g., passenger aboard the mobile platform 108, tocommunicate with the network 110 via one or both communication links112, 114 to the one or more satellite stations 102, 104. In particular,the processor 128 and communication router module 138 may cooperate tocoordinate call traffic routing and subscriber management, including aconversion between digital modem traffic from the antenna 118 and Wi-Fitraffic from the end-user mobile device(s) 150 operatively coupled tothe LAN/WLAN 148. End-user specific information that may be used by theprocessor 128 and/or communication router module 138 while coordinatingcall traffic, etc., may include account information, billinginformation, and media content, any of which may be stored in one ormore of the memory devices able to be accessed by the processor 128.

The software applications 142 and/or routines 144 also includeinstructions and steps that when executed by the processor 128 cause themobile communicator 106 to determine which modem 132, 134 to use whencommunicating with the one or more satellite stations. For example, thesoftware applications 143 or routines 144 may include a communicatorcontroller application or routine having a set of instructions that whenexecuted by the processor 128 cause the controller 116 to carry outvarious applications and functions associated with the handoff ofcommunication with the network 110 from the first communication link 112to the second communication link 114. In particular, execution of thecommunicator controller application by the processor 128 may initiate,coordinate, execute, or instruct one or more steps for calculating theidentity of the second satellite station 104 and selecting which modem132, 134 and communication link 112, 114 to use for communicating withthe network 110.

Each modem 132, 134 facilitates the conversion of radio frequency (RF)signals to/from digital signals. The system 100 may use any of a numberof frequency bands to send and receive wireless communication with theone or more satellite stations 102, 104 over the communication link(s)112, 114. The wireless communication to and from the satellite stationsmay be modulated onto waves with frequencies in one of several knownsatellite communication frequency bands. For example, the carrier wavefrequencies may be in the K_(u) band between 12-18 GHZ, the K_(a) bandbetween 26.5-40 GHz, and/or the L band 1-2 GHz. Additionally, otherfrequency bands within and outside of the microwave spectrum may beused.

The first modem 132 of the pair of modems is communicably coupled to theprocessor 128 and facilitates the first communication link 112 betweenthe controller 116, the antenna 118, and the first satellite station102. As the mobile platform 108 travels, it is expected that the mobilequality of service (QoS) associated with the first communication link112 may eventually deteriorate due to the increasing distance betweenthe first satellite station 102 and the travelling mobile platform 108.In anticipation of the declining communication quality between the firstsatellite station 102 and the first modem 132, the controller 116utilizes one or more maps 152 of satellite stations to determine thesecond satellite station 104 for establishing the second communicationlink 114 via the second modem 134 before the communication quality ofthe first communication link 112 degrades to an unsatisfactory level.The maps 152 of satellite stations capable of being used forcommunication with the mobile communicator 106 may be stored on thememory device, e.g., RAM 136, of the mobile communicator 106. Thesatellite maps 152 may also be stored on the external memory device 154operatively coupled to the controller 116 and/or transmitted to thecontroller 116 in response to a satellite station map request sent fromthe controller 116.

Because the route and travelling characteristics of the mobile platform108 are known or are capable of being readily determined, e.g.,location, velocity, direction; and the locations or travel paths of thesatellite stations 102, 104 are known or can be attained through the oneor more satellite network maps 152, it is possible for the controller116 to determine, calculate, forecast, and/or predict the identity ofthe second satellite station 104 from among several prospectivesatellite stations that is acceptable for communication with the mobileplatform 108. The determination of the second satellite station 104 maybe based in part on one or more considerations or combinations thereof,such as: the type of satellite station, the location of the satellitestation, the distance of the satellite station from the mobile platform108, and the amount and particularity of time the satellite station isexpected to be within an acceptable communication range of the mobileplatform 108, for example. The mobile communicator may use travellingcharacteristics of the mobile platform 108 and the prospective satellitestations of the satellite network maps 152 to predict which satellitestation is suitable for receiving the communication handoff from themobile communicator 106. Upon identifying the second satellite station104, the controller 116 timely readies the second communication link 114via the second modem 134 to the second satellite station 104. At anappropriate time after the identity of second satellite station has beencalculated, which may range from a few seconds to hundreds of minutes,the controller 116 will initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct thehandoff or handover of communication from the first satellite station102 to the second satellite station 104. More particularly, thecontroller 116 hands off communication from the first communication link112 and the first modem 132 to the second communication link 114 and thesecond modem 134.

To ensure communication quality between the mobile platform 108 and thesatellite stations, the processor 128 of the controller 116 may monitorone or more communication indicators associated with one or both of thecommunication links 112, 114 to determine or calculate whethercommunication conducted over the first communication link 112 should behanded off to the second communication link 114 before the expecteddeterioration of the first communication link 112. Each communicationindicator may be derived from or based on geographic data and/or signaldata associated with the first and/or second communication link 112,114. One or more communication indicators and combinations thereof maybe monitored, received (e.g., sensor), and/or analyzed by the processor128 and/or analyzer 120 of the controller 116 to determine or calculatewhether and when it may be advantageous to handoff communication fromthe first communication link 112 and the first modem 132 to the secondcommunication link 114 and the second modem 134.

One type of communication indicator is a geographic-based communicationindicator, which generally relates to geographically based aspects,characteristics, and/or parameters of the communication associated withthe first and/or second communication links 112, 114, such as, currentand projected location of the first and/or second satellite stations102, 104, e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude. The processor 128and/or analyzer 120 of the controller 116 may analyze or evaluate thegeographic communication indicator by comparing respective datacharacteristics associated with the first and second communication links112, 114. For example, the current and predicted locations of the firstand second satellite stations 102, 104 can be used to determine therespective distance of each satellite station from the mobile platform108 at various times. If at a particular time the distance from themobile platform 108 and/or the mobile communicator 106 to the firstsatellite station 102 is more than the distance from the mobile platform108 and/or mobile communicator 106 to the second satellite station 104,it may be presumed at that time, that because of the shorter distance tothe second satellite station 104, the second communication link 114 withthe second modem 134 may be better suited for facilitating communicationbetween the one or more end users aboard the mobile platform 108 and thenetwork 110 than the first communication link 112 with the first modem132. The processor 128 of the controller 116 may then prepare forhanding off communication with the mobile communicator 106 from thefirst satellite station 102 to the second satellite station 104. Inparticular, the processor 128 of the controller 116 may initiate,coordinate, execute, or instruct the timely handoff of communicationfrom the first communication link 112 and the first modem 132 to thesecond communication link 114 and the second modem 134.

Alternatively, the processor 128 of the controller 116 may evaluategeographic data characteristics associated with the first and/or secondcommunication links 112, 114 with respect to a threshold level of arespective parameter. For example, the controller 116 and/or analyzer120 may compare the distance between the mobile platform 108 and/ormobile communicator 106 and the first and/or second satellite station102, 104 to a distance threshold level. The distance threshold level,which may be stored on any of the memory devices capable of beingaccessed by the processor 128, may be determined by historical datarelated to mobile communication quality involving a type of modem thatincludes or is similar to the first 132 and/or second 134 modem and atype of satellite station that includes or is similar to the first 102and/or second 104 satellite station. If the distance from the mobileplatform 108 and/or mobile communicator 106 to the second satellitestation 104 is less than the distance threshold level, it may bepresumed that the second satellite station 104 is within an acceptableor satisfactory communication range of the mobile platform 112 and theprocessor 128 of the controller 114 may determine to initiate,coordinate, execute, or instruct the handoff of communication from thefirst communication link 112 and the first modem 132 to the secondcommunication link 114 and the second modem 134. Additionally, if thedistance from the mobile platform 108 and/or mobile communicator 106 tothe second satellite station 104 is greater than the distance thresholdlevel, it may be presumed that the second satellite station 104 isoutside of an acceptable or satisfactory communication range of themobile platform 112. The processor 128 of the controller 114 may thencalculate or predict a time when the mobile platform 108 and/or mobilecommunicator 106 will be within an acceptable or satisfactorycommunication range of the second satellite and accordingly prepare forinitiating, coordinating, executing, or instructing the timely handoffof communication from the first communication link 112 and the firstmodem 132 to the second communication link 114 and the second modem 134.

Another type of communication indicator that may be monitored, received,and/or analyzed by the processor 128 and/or analyzer 120 of thecontroller 116 to determine when it may be advantageous to handoffcommunication from the first communication link 112 is a signal-basedcommunication indicator. The signal-based communicator indicatorgenerally relates to aspects or characteristics of the communicationsignal over the communication link, and may include information relatingto signal data associated with the first 102 and/or second 104 satellitestation and/or communication with one or both of the communication links112, 114 and/or modems 132, 134. Some examples of a signalcharacteristic or aspect that may be used as a signal-basedcommunication indicator include: signal quality or quality of thecommunication signal at either modem, signal power or power of thecommunication signal received at either modem, signal noise(signal-to-noise ratio; (SNR)) associated with either modem; signalstrength or strength of the communication signal (decibel-to-milliwatt;dBm, dBmW) received at either modem; comparative or relative signalstrength received between the first modem and the second modem; or ifone or more of the signal characteristics is closer to one or moredesired signal parameters (distortion, attenuation, interference). Thesignal analyzer 120 or sensor operatively coupled to the controller 116may receive the one or more signal-based communication indicators,wherein the processor 128 and/or analyzer 120 of the controller 116 mayanalyze the received signal-based communication indicator(s) bycomparing respective data characteristics associated with the first andsecond communication links 112, 114. For example, observation and/oranalysis of the communication signal indicator may be useful indetermining when the mobile communicator 106 is outside an acceptablecommunication range of the first satellite station 102 and/or within anacceptable communication range of the second satellite station 104.

Communication over a particular communication link 112, 114 may bedeemed better by having or expecting higher and/or lower levels of oneor more signal characteristics or features. For example, signal dataassociated with the use of the first communication link 112 may becompared to signal data associated with the use of the secondcommunication link 114 to determine which communication link has abetter signal. If the first communication link 112 is deemed to have abetter signal(s) than the second communication link 114, the controller116 may determine to continue using the first communication link 112 andnot initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct a handoff ofcommunication from the first communication link 112 to the secondcommunication link 114 until a later time. Sometime later, thecontroller 116 and/or analyzer 120 may analyze the communicationindicator(s) present at that time, or forecasted to be at a later time,to determine if and/or when it is advantageous to handoff thecommunication from the first communication link 112 to the secondcommunication link 114. If at that later time, the second communicationlink 114 is determined to have a better signal(s) than the firstcommunication link 120, the processor 128 of the controller 114 mayprepare, initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct the handoff ofcommunication from the first communication link 120 and the first modem132 to the second communication link 114 and the second modem 134.

Additionally, the processor 128 and/or analyzer 120 of the controller116 may analyze one or more signal-based communication datacharacteristics associated with the first and/or second communicationlinks 112, 114 to a threshold level for the respective communicationdata characteristic(s). For instance, the controller 116 may compare orevaluate one or more respective signal data characteristics associatedwith the first and/or second communication link 112, 114 to a signaldata threshold level of a respective signal-based parameter. The valueof the signal data threshold level, which may be stored on any of thememory devices capable of being accessed by the processor 128, mayinclude a predetermined parameter associated with an acceptable signaldata level on the communication link. For example, if a signal powerassociated with the second communication link 114 is greater than asignal power threshold level, the controller 116 and/or analyzer maydetermine to initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct the handoff ofcommunication from the first modem 132 and first communication link 112to the second modem 134 and second communication link 114. Additionally,if the signal power associated with the second communication link 114 isexpected to be greater than a signal power threshold level at some latertime, the controller 116 and/or analyzer 120 may prepare the first 132and second 134 modems and the first 112 and second 114 communicationlinks for handing off communication from the first satellite station 102to the second satellite station 104.

The handoff of the communication prepared, initiated, coordinated,executed, or instructed by the processor 128 of the controller 116 maybe a hard handoff or a soft handoff. In a hard handoff, the establishedcommunication link 112 between the first satellite 102 and thecommunicator controller 116 is released by the processor 128 of thecontroller 116 before the second communication link 114 is engaged orestablished. In a soft handoff, the established first communication link112 is retained and may be used by the processor 128 of the controller116 in parallel with the subsequently established second communicationlink 114 before the first communication link 112 is released.

There are advantages and disadvantages to hard and soft handoffs and thedecision to utilize one type of handoff over the other depends on thepreference of the system designer and/or user of the mobile communicator106. For example, the hard handoff generally utilizes less hardwarebecause there is no need to maintain two communication links inparallel. However, if the execution of the hard handoff fails, thecommunication link between the end user(s) and the network 110 may bedisrupted or terminated. One advantage of the soft handoff is thatfailed communication handoffs are generally fewer because the firstcommunication link is released only after a reliable connection with thesecond communication link is established. On the other hand, thehardware necessary for processing multiple communication links inparallel during a soft handoff is often more costly and complex than thehardware required for a hard handoff.

In mobile communicators using only a single antenna 118 to facilitatecommunication on one or the other of the communication links 112, 114,the signal-based indicator(s), e.g., characteristic(s), associated withthe communication link that is not coupled to the antenna 118 may becompensated and then analyzed and/or compared to the respectivesignal-based indicator(s) of the other communication link coupled to theantenna, or the signal data threshold level(s). Communication handoffsperformed by mobile communicators 106 with single antenna configurationsmay also include decoupling, coupling, and positioning of the loneantenna. More specifically, the processor 128 of the controller 116and/or another processor of perhaps another controller may decouple theantenna 118 from the first modem 132 and operatively couple the antenna118 to the second modem 134. The processor 128 and/or another processormay then position and reposition the antenna 118 toward the secondsatellite station 104 and track the second satellite station 104 tomaintain and/or improve communication with the controller 116. In analternative embodiment of the mobile communicator 106 implementing twoantennas, the first antenna may be primarily coupled to the first modem132 and a second antenna may be primarily coupled to the second modem134, wherein the processor(s) of the controller(s) may position andreposition either antenna toward a desired direction, e.g., satellitestation.

A flow diagram 200 depicting an example method capable of being executedby the multi-modem mobile communicator 108 of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The first communication link112 including an antenna 118 is established via the first modem 132between the first satellite station 102 and the controller 116 (block202). The first communication link 112 may extend to the LAN/WLAN 148and one or more mobile communication devices 150 of one or more endusers aboard the mobile platform 108. Communication between the firstsatellite station 102 and the first modem 132 is conducted over a firstfrequency. The first frequency may include any range of a frequencyband, including, and not limited to: K_(a)-band, K_(u)-band, and L-band.

The mobile communicator 106 may periodically verify its geographicallocation by checking geographic data and/or communication signal data.The processor 128 of the controller 116 may utilize one or more maps 152of one or more networks of satellite stations to calculate and forecastthe identity of the second satellite station 104 (block 204). The one ormore maps 152 of satellite networks may be transmitted to thecommunicator controller 116 and/or stored in the memory device 136, 154coupled to the communicator controller 116. The memory device 136, 154may include one or more hard disk drives, optical storage drives, solidstate storage devices, and a like.

Upon identification or determination of the prospective second satellitestation 104, the processor 128 of the controller 106 prepares the mobilecommunicator 106 for the expected communication handoff from the firstsatellite station 102 to the second satellite station 104 (block 206).Preparation for the communication handoff may include the processor 128of the controller 106 establishing the second communication link 114 viathe second modem 118 to the second satellite station 104. Communicationbetween the second satellite station 104 and the second modem 118 is tobe conducted over a second frequency. Similar to the first frequency,the second frequency may include any range of a frequency band,including, and not limited to: K_(a)-band, K_(u)-band, and L-band. Thefirst and second frequencies may be the same or different.

Around the time of the predicted communication handoff from the firstcommunication link 102 to the second communication link 104, thecontroller 106 may initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct thecommunication handoff. The controller 114 may also monitor the firstcommunication link 112 by receiving one or more communicationindicators. In one instance, the communication indicator(s) is receivedvia the analyzer 120 or sensor. The processor 128 and/or analyzer 120 ofthe controller 116 may analyze the received communication indicator(s)(block 208) as discussed above to determine whether and when it may beadvantageous to handoff communication from the first communication link112 and the first modem 132 to the second communication link 114 and thesecond modem 134 (block 210). If the communication handoff is not tooccur at that time, the controller 116 and/or analyzer 120 may continueto monitor and analyze the communication indicator(s). When thecommunication from the first communication link 112 and the first modem132 is to be handed off to the second communication link 114 and thesecond modem 134, the mobile communicator 106 may initiate, coordinate,execute, or instruct the communication handoff.

In systems utilizing a single antenna, the controller 116 and/or anothercontroller, e.g., an antenna controller, may uncouple the lone antenna118 from the first modem 132 and couple the antenna 118 to the secondmodem 134 based on the communication handoff. That is, the antenna 118may be uncoupled, coupled, and/or positioned prior to, during, and/orafter the time when communication is handed off between thecommunication links. The controller 116 and/or antenna controller mayalso reposition the antenna 118 for better communication with the secondsatellite station 114 by moving the antenna 118 away from the firstsatellite station 102 and directing the antenna 118 toward the secondsatellite station 104 (block 212).

Another example embodiment of the mobile communicator, or an aspectthereof, capable of executing the method illustrated in FIG. 2 isdepicted in FIG. 3. The mobile communicator 306 is similar to the mobilecommunicator 106 shown in FIG. 1 in many regards; however the mobilecommunicator 306 of FIG. 3 includes a pair of controllers for performingthe several tasks of the mobile communicator 306 as opposed to thesingle controller 106 implemented in the mobile communicator 106 of FIG.1.

The mobile communicator 306 of FIG. 3 is mounted to the mobile platform108 of FIG. 1 and substantially enclosed therein. The mobilecommunicator 306 includes several components that may be housed withinone or more LRUs 326, 327 affixed within the mobile platform 108. Themobile communicator 306 includes a first controller 316 and a secondcontroller 317 and each controller 316, 317 is separately housed in arespective LRU 326, 327. Additional components of the mobilecommunicator 306 include one or more antennas, analyzers, positioningmodules, and memory components for facilitating communication with thenetwork 110 via the satellite stations 102, 104 shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the mobile communicator 306 may include an antenna 318, ananalyzer 320 or sensor, a positioning module (e.g., global positioningunit (GPS)) 356, and an external memory component 354 (housed within LRU359); all of which are operatively coupled to the first and secondcontrollers 316, 317 via an input/output (I/O) circuit 322 and arespective conduit 358. Although the I/O circuit 322 is shown in FIG. 3as a single block, it may include a variety of types of I/O circuits.The antenna 318 and/or analyzer 320, and/or portions thereof, may behoused within a radome 324 extending from the mobile platform 108,wherein the antenna 318 may be positioned by the second controller 317for interaction with the satellite stations.

The first and second controllers 316, 317 may be adapted and configuredfor different functions within the mobile communicator 306. For example,the first controller 316 may be primarily adapted and configured topredict, prepare, initiate, coordinate, execute, and/or instruct ahandoff of communication from the first communication link 112 with thefirst satellite station 102 to the second communication link 114 withthe second satellite station 104. The second controller 317 may beprimarily configured to facilitate and support bi-directionalcommunication between the communication network 110 (e.g., groundcommunication networks) and end-user mobile communication devices 350(e.g., mobile phone, personal computer (laptop/desktop/tablet), wearablecomputing and/or communicating devices) operatively coupled to theLAN/WLAN 348 via a conduit 360.

The first controller 316 includes a first computing device or firstprocessor 328, (which may be a microcontroller or a microprocessor), aprogram memory 330, a first modem 332, a second modem 334, and arandom-access memory (RAM) 336, all of which may be interconnected via afirst address/data bus 340.

The program memory 330 and/or the RAM 336 may include a plurality ofsoftware applications 342, a plurality of software routines 344, and agraphical user interface (GUI) 346. The software applications 342 and/orroutines 344 may include instructions and steps that when executed bythe first processor 328 cause the mobile communicator 306 to carry outthe functions associated with the handoff of communication from thefirst communication link 112 to the second communication link 114 asdescribed herein. For example, the first processor 328 may determine thelocation of one or more satellite stations (e.g., the second satellitestation 102); analyze one or more communication indicators; and prepare,initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct a communication handoffbetween the first and second communication links 112, 114.

Each modem 332, 334 facilitates the conversion of radio frequency (RF)signals to/from digital signals. The system may use any of a number offrequency bands to send and receive wireless communication with the oneor more satellite stations 102, 104 over the communication link(s) 112,114. The wireless communication to and from the satellite stations maybe modulated onto waves with frequencies in one of several knownsatellite communication frequency bands.

The first modem 332 of the pair of modems is communicably coupled to thefirst processor 328 and facilitates the first communication link 112between the controller 316, the antenna 318, and the first satellitestation 102. In anticipation of the declining communication qualitybetween the first satellite station 102 and the first modem 332, thecontroller 316 utilizes one or more maps 352 of satellite stations todetermine the second satellite station 104 for establishing the secondcommunication link 114 via the second modem 334 before the communicationquality of the first communication link 112 degrades to anunsatisfactory level. The maps 352 of satellite stations that arecandidates for being used for communication with the mobile communicator306 may be stored on the memory device, e.g., RAM 336, of the mobilecommunicator 306. The satellite maps 352 may also be stored on anexternal memory device 354 operatively coupled to the controller 316and/or transmitted to the controller 316 in response to a satellitestation map request sent from the controller 316.

Because the route and travelling characteristics of the mobile platform108 are known or are capable of being readily determined, e.g.,location, velocity, direction; and the locations or travel paths of thesatellite stations 102, 104 are known or can be attained through the oneor more satellite network maps 352, it is possible for the controller316 to calculate, predict, and identify the second satellite station 104from among several prospective satellite stations that may be acceptablefor communication with the mobile platform 108. The determination of thesecond satellite station 104 may be based in part on one or moreconsiderations or factors, and combinations thereof, such as: the typeof satellite station, the location of the satellite station, thedistance of the satellite station from the mobile platform 108, and theamount of time the satellite station is expected to be within anacceptable communication range of the mobile platform 108, for example.Upon identifying the time and location of a particular satellite stationthat is suitable for receiving the communication handoff from the firstsatellite station, the controller 316 will prepare the secondcommunication link 114 and the second modem 334 for the timelycommunication handoff from the first satellite station to the secondsatellite station when the second satellite station is within anacceptable communication range of the mobile platform 106.

To ensure communication quality for the one or more end users aboard themobile platform 108, the first processor 328 of the controller 316 mayalso monitor one or more communication indicators associated with one orboth of the communication links 112, 114 to determine whethercommunication conducted over the first communication link 112 should behanded off or handed over to the second communication link 114 beforethe expected deterioration of the first communication link 112. One ormore communication indicators and combinations thereof may be receivedat the analyzer 320 and analyzed by the first processor 328 of thecontroller 316 to determine whether and when it may be advantageous tohandoff communication from the first communication link 112 and thefirst modem 332 to the second communication link 114 and the secondmodem 334. For example, signal data associated with the use of the firstcommunication link 112 may be compared to signal data associated withthe use of the second communication link 114 to determine whichcommunication link has a better signal. If the second communication link114 is deemed to have a better signal(s) than the second communicationlink 112, the controller 316 may determine to initiate, coordinate,execute, or instruct a handoff of communication from the firstcommunication link 112 to the second communication link 114.

Additionally, the first processor 328 of the controller 316 may analyzeone or more signal-based communication data characteristics associatedwith the first and/or second communication links 112, 114 to a thresholdlevel for the respective communication data characteristic(s). Forinstance, the controller 316 may compare one or more respective signaldata characteristics associated with the first and/or secondcommunication link 112, 114 to a signal data threshold level of arespective signal-based parameter. The value of the signal datathreshold level may include a predetermined parameter associated with anacceptable signal data level on the communication link. For example, ifa signal power associated with the second communication link 114 isgreater than a signal power threshold level, the controller 316 maydetermine to initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct the handoff ofcommunication from the first modem 332 and first communication link 112to the second modem 334 and second communication link 114.

The second controller 317 includes a second computing device orprocessor 329 such as a controller processor unit (ACPU) for anair-to-ground communication system, a program memory 331, arandom-access memory (RAM) 337, and a router module 338; all of whichmay be interconnected via a second address/data bus 341 and coupled tothe I/O circuit 322.

The second processor 329, which may be a microcontroller or amicroprocessor, may also be communicably coupled via a conduit 360 tothe LAN/WLAN 348 and configured to enable the mobile communicationdevices 350 of the end users to access with the network 110 via one ormore communication links 112, 114 to the one or more satellite stations102, 104. The program memory 331 and/or the RAM 337 may include aplurality of software applications 343, a plurality of software routines345, and a graphical user interface (GUI) 347. The software applications343 and/or routines 342 may include instructions and steps that whenexecuted by the second processor 329 cause the second controller 317 tocoordinate call traffic routing and subscriber management, including aconversion between digital modem traffic from the antenna 318 to Wi-Fiof the end-user mobile devices 350 operatively coupled to the LAN/WLAN348.

In mobile communicators 306 using only a single antenna 318 tofacilitate communication on one or the other of the communication links112, 114, the handoff of communication from the first communication link112 to the second communication link 114 may be accompanied bydecoupling, coupling, and positioning of the antenna 318. In suchinstances, the second processor 329 of the second controller 317 mayoperatively decouple the antenna 318 from the first modem 332 andoperatively couple the antenna 318 to the second modem 334. The secondprocessor 329 may then position the antenna 318 toward the secondsatellite station 104 to improve communication with the mobilecommunicator 306. In an alternative embodiment wherein the mobilecommunicator 306 includes two antennas, the first antenna may beprimarily coupled to the first modem 332 and a second antenna may beprimarily coupled to the second modem 334, wherein the second processor329 of the second controller 317 may position either antenna toward adesired direction, e.g., satellite station.

Another example embodiment of the mobile communicator, or an aspectthereof, capable of executing the method illustrated in FIG. 2 isdepicted in FIG. 4. The mobile communicator 406 is similar to the mobilecommunicator shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in many regards, however the mobilecommunicator 406 of FIG. 4 includes three controllers for performing theseveral tasks of the mobile communicator 406 as opposed to the single ordual controller configurations depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively.

The mobile communicator 406 of FIG. 4 is mounted to the mobile platform108 of FIG. 1 and substantially enclosed therein. The mobilecommunicator 406 includes several components that may be housed withinone or more LRUs 426, 427, 472 affixed within the mobile platform 108.The mobile communicator 406 includes a first controller 416, a secondcontroller 417, and a third controller 470, wherein each controller 416,417, 470 is separately housed in a respective LRU 326, 327, 472.Additional components of the mobile communicator 306 include one or moreantennas, analyzers, positioning modules, and memory components forfacilitating communication with the network 110 via the satellitestations 102, 104 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the mobile communicator406 may include an antenna 418, a second antenna 419, an analyzer 420 orsensor, a positioning module (e.g., global positioning unit (GPS)) 456,and an external memory component 454 (housed within LRU 459); all ofwhich are operatively coupled to the first, second, and thirdcontrollers 416, 417, 470 via an input/output (I/O) circuit 422 and arespective conduit 458. Although the I/O circuit 422 is shown in FIG. 4as a single block, it may include a variety of types of I/O circuits.The antennas 418, 419 and/or analyzer 320, and/or portions thereof, maybe housed within a radome 424 extending from the mobile platform 108,wherein the antennas 418, 419 may be positioned by the mobilecommunicator 406 for interaction with the satellite stations.

The first, second, and third controllers 416, 417, 470 may be adaptedand configured for different functions within the mobile communicator406. For example, the first controller 416 may be primarily configuredto position one or more antennas for communication with the satellitestations and/or other communication networks. The second controller 417may be primarily adapted and configured to predict, prepare, initiate,coordinate, execute, and/or instruct a handoff of communication from thefirst communication link 112 with the first satellite station 102 to thesecond communication link 114 with the second satellite station 104. Thethird controller 470 may be primarily configured to facilitate andsupport bi-directional communication between the communication network110 (e.g., ground communication networks) and end-user mobilecommunication devices 450 (e.g., mobile phone, personal computer(laptop/desktop/tablet), wearable computing and/or communicatingdevices) operatively coupled to the LAN/WLAN 448 or other network via aconduit 460.

In mobile communicators 406 using a single antenna 418 to facilitatecommunication on one or the other of the communication links 112, 114,the handoff of communication from the first communication link 112 tothe second communication link 114 may be accompanied by decoupling,coupling, and positioning of the antenna 418. In such instances, thefirst processor 428 of the first controller 416 may operatively decouplethe antenna 418 from the first modem 432 and operatively couple theantenna 418 to the second modem 434. The first processor 428 may thenposition the antenna 418 toward the second satellite station 104 toimprove communication with the mobile communicator 406. In analternative embodiment wherein the mobile communicator 406 includesmultiple antennas, a first antenna 418 may be primarily coupled to thefirst modem 432 and a second antenna 419 may be primarily coupled to thesecond modem 434, wherein the first processor 428 of the firstcontroller 416 may position either antenna 418, 419 toward a desireddirection, e.g., satellite station.

The second controller 417 includes a second computing device or secondprocessor 429, (which may be a microcontroller or a microprocessor), aprogram memory 431, a first modem 432, a second modem 434, and arandom-access memory (RAM) 436, all of which may be interconnected via afirst address/data bus 440.

The program memory 431 and/or the RAM 436 may include a plurality ofsoftware applications 443, a plurality of software routines 445, and agraphical user interface (GUI) 447. The software applications 443 and/orroutines 445 may include instructions and steps that when executed bythe second processor 429 cause the mobile communicator 406 to carry outthe functions associated with the handoff of communication from thefirst communication link 112 to the second communication link 114 asdescribed herein. For example, the second processor 429 may calculatethe location of one or more prospective satellite stations (e.g., thesecond satellite station 102); analyze one or more communicationindicators; and prepare, initiate, coordinate, execute, or instruct acommunication handoff between the first and second communication links112, 114.

Each modem 432, 434 facilitates the conversion of radio frequency (RF)signals to/from digital signals. The system may use any of a number offrequency bands to send and receive wireless communication with the oneor more satellite stations 102, 104 over the communication link(s) 112,114. The wireless communication to and from the satellite stations maybe modulated onto waves with frequencies in one of several knownsatellite communication frequency bands.

The first modem 432 of the pair of modems is communicably coupled to thesecond processor 429 and facilitates the first communication link 112between the mobile communicator 406, the antenna 418, and the firstsatellite station 102. In anticipation of the declining communicationquality between the first satellite station 102 and the first modem 432,the second controller 417 utilizes one or more maps 452 of satellitestations to determine the second satellite station 104 for establishingthe second communication link 114 via the second modem 434 before thecommunication quality of the first communication link 112 degrades to anunsatisfactory level. The maps 452 of satellite stations that arecandidates for being used for communication with the mobile communicator406 may be stored on the memory device, e.g., RAM 436, of the mobilecommunicator 406. The satellite maps 452 may also be stored on anexternal memory device 454 and operatively coupled to the secondcontroller 417 and/or transmitted to the second controller 417 inresponse to a satellite station map request sent from the mobilecommunicator 406.

Because the route and travelling characteristics of the mobile platform108 are known or are capable of being readily determined, e.g.,location, velocity, direction; and the locations or travel paths of thesatellite stations 102, 104 are known or can be attained through the oneor more satellite network maps 452, it is possible for the secondcontroller 417 to calculate, predict, and identify the second satellitestation 104 from among several prospective satellite stations that maybe acceptable for communication with the mobile platform 108. Thedetermination of the second satellite station 104 may be based in parton one or more considerations or factors, and combinations thereof, suchas: the type of satellite station, the location of the satellitestation, the distance of the satellite station from the mobile platform108, and the amount of time the satellite station is expected to bewithin an acceptable communication range of the mobile platform 108, forexample. Upon identifying the time and location of a particularsatellite station that is suitable for receiving the communicationhandoff from the first satellite station, the controller 417 willprepare the second communication link 114 and the second modem 434 forthe timely communication handoff from the first satellite station to thesecond satellite station when the second satellite station is within anacceptable communication range of the mobile platform 106.

To ensure communication quality for the one or more end users aboard themobile platform 108, the second processor 429 of the second controller417 may also monitor one or more communication indicators associatedwith one or both of the communication links 112, 114 to determinewhether communication conducted over the first communication link 112should be handed off or handed over to the second communication link 114before the expected deterioration of the first communication link 112.One or more communication indicators and combinations thereof may bereceived at the analyzer 420 and analyzed by the second processor 429and/or analyzer 420 of the second controller 417 to determine whetherand when it may be advantageous to handoff communication from the firstcommunication link 112 and the first modem 432 to the secondcommunication link 114 and the second modem 434. For example, signaldata associated with the use of the first communication link 112 may becompared to signal data associated with the use of the secondcommunication link 114 to determine which communication link has abetter signal. If the second communication link 114 is deemed to have abetter signal(s) than the second communication link 112, the secondcontroller 417 may determine to initiate, coordinate, execute, orinstruct a handoff of communication from the first communication link112 to the second communication link 114.

Additionally, the second processor 429 of the second controller 417 mayanalyze one or more signal-based communication data characteristicsassociated with the first and/or second communication links 112, 114 toa threshold level for the respective communication datacharacteristic(s). For instance, the second controller 417 may compareone or more respective signal data characteristics associated with thefirst and/or second communication link 112, 114 to a signal datathreshold level of a respective signal-based parameter. The value of thesignal data threshold level may include a predetermined parameterassociated with an acceptable signal data level on the communicationlink. For example, if a signal power associated with the secondcommunication link 114 is greater than a signal power threshold level,the second controller 417 may determine to prepare, initiate,coordinate, execute, or instruct the handoff of communication from thefirst modem 432 and first communication link 112 to the second modem 434and second communication link 114.

The third controller 470 includes a third computing device or processor438 such as a controller processor unit (ACPU) for an air-to-groundcommunication system, a program memory 474, a random-access memory (RAM)482, and a router module 484; all of which may be interconnected via asecond address/data bus 486 and coupled to the I/O circuit 422.

The third processor 438, which may be a microcontroller or amicroprocessor, may also be communicably coupled via a conduit 460 tothe LAN/WLAN 448 or other network and configured to enable the mobilecommunication devices 450 of the end users to access with the network110 via one or more communication links 112, 114 to the one or moresatellite stations 102, 104. The program memory 474 and/or the RAM 482may include a plurality of software applications 476, a plurality ofsoftware routines 478, and a graphical user interface (GUI) 480. Thesoftware applications 476 and/or routines 478 may include instructionsand steps that when executed by the third processor 438 cause the thirdcontroller 470 and/or the router module 484 to coordinate call trafficrouting and subscriber management, including a conversion betweendigital modem traffic from the antenna 418, 419 to Wi-Fi of the end-usermobile devices 450 operatively coupled to the LAN/WLAN 448.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as includinglogic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, orinstructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodiedon a machine-readable medium) or hardware. In hardware, the routines,etc., are tangible units capable of performing certain operations andmay be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone client orserver computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computersystem (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured bysoftware (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardwaremodule that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory product to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory product to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput products, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at leastpartially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of theoperations of a method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented hardware modules. The performance of particularoperations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not onlyresiding within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, a mobile platform, or as a server farm), while inother embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number oflocations.

The performance of particular operations may be distributed among theone or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, butdeployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, theone or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be locatedin a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, a mobile platform, or a server farm). In otherexample embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implementedmodules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” “identifying,” “predicting,” “analyzing,”and the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., acomputing device) that manipulates or transforms data represented asphysical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within oneor more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or acombination thereof), registers, or other machine components thatreceive, store, transmit, or display information.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it isobvious that it is meant otherwise.

Still further, for the purposes of illustration only, the figures depictpreferred embodiments of a communication system and method for a mobileplatform. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from thediscussion above that alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from theprinciples described herein.

Of course, the applications and benefits of the systems, methods, andtechniques described herein are not limited to only the above examples.Many other applications and benefits are possible by using the systems,methods, and techniques described herein.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ ishereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intentto limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication,beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not beinterpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in anysection of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To theextent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent isreferred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning,that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader,and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implicationor otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element isdefined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recitalof any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim elementbe interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) and/orpre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.

Moreover, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed descriptionof numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that thescope of the patent is defined by the words of the claims set forth atthe end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed asexemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment becausedescribing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if notimpossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, usingeither current technology or technology developed after the filing dateof this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.By way of example, and not limitation, the disclosure hereincontemplates at least the following aspects:

Aspect 1: A controller for communicating with a first and secondsatellite station included among one or more networks of satellitestations, the controller comprising: a first modem communicating withthe first satellite station via a first frequency over a firstcommunication link; a map of the one or more networks of satellitestations including the second satellite station; a processor coupled tothe first modem, the processor utilizing the map of the one or morenetworks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite stationfor communication with the controller; and a second modem coupled to theprocessor and communicating with the second satellite station via asecond frequency over a second communication link, wherein the processoris configured to calculate a time to handoff communication from thefirst communication link to the second communication link and timelyinitiate the communication handoff based on the calculated time.

Aspect 2: The controller of aspect 1, wherein the communication handofffrom the first communication link to the second communication link isbased on a communication indicator.

Aspect 3: The controller of any one of aspects 1-2, further comprising:an antenna coupled to the first modem and positioned toward the firstsatellite station to facilitate communication with the first satellitestation over the first frequency, wherein the processor is configured toposition the antenna toward the second satellite station based on thecommunication handoff.

Aspect 4: The controller of any one of aspects 1-3, wherein the antennais enclosed within a radome affixed to or integral with the mobileplatform.

Aspect 5: The controller of any one of aspects 1-4, wherein the firstfrequency and the second frequency are the same frequency.

Aspect 6: The controller of any one of aspects 1-5, wherein the firstfrequency and/or second frequency includes at least a portion of aK_(u)-band, K_(a)-band, or L-band.

Aspect 7: The controller of any one of aspects 1-6, wherein thecommunication indicator includes at least one of the following: signalstrength received at the first modem, signal strength received at thesecond modem, comparative/relative signal strength received between thefirst modem and the second modem, and the distance between the mobilecommunicator and the first and/or second satellite.

Aspect 8: The controller of any one of aspects 1-7, further comprising amemory device coupled to the processor, wherein the map of the one ormore networks of satellite stations is stored on the memory device.

Aspect 9: The controller of any one of aspects 1-8, wherein the map ofthe one or more networks of satellite stations is received at thecontroller.

Aspect 10: The controller of any one of aspects 1-9, wherein the mobileplatform is an air-based transport, a land-based transport, or asea-based transport.

Aspect 11: The controller of any one of aspects 1-10, wherein at least aportion of the controller is housed within the replaceable line unitattached to the mobile platform.

Aspect 12: The controller of any one of aspects 1-11, wherein thecontroller is attached to the mobile platform.

Aspect 13: A mobile communicator enabling communication between a mobileplatform and a first and second satellite station included among one ormore networks of satellite stations, the mobile communicator comprising:a controller fixedly attached to the mobile platform, the controllerincluding a processor, a first modem, a second modem, and a memorydevice; the first modem facilitating communication via a firstcommunication link and a first frequency between the controller and thefirst satellite station; a map of the one or more networks of satellitestations including the second satellite station stored in the memorydevice, wherein the controller utilizes the map of the one or moresatellite stations to determine the second satellite station forcommunicating with the controller; and the second modem facilitatingcommunication via a second communication link and a second frequencybetween the controller and the second satellite station, wherein thecontroller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communicationfrom the first communication link to the second communication linktimely initiate the communication handoff based on the calculate time.

Aspect 14: The mobile communicator of aspect 13, wherein thecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link is based on a communication indicator.

Aspect 15: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-14, furthercomprising: an antenna capable of being coupled to the first modem orthe second modem, wherein the controller positions the antenna forcommunication with the second satellite station based on thecommunication handoff.

Aspect 16: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-15, furthercomprising: an antenna coupled to the first modem, wherein thecontroller is configured to decouple the antenna from the first modemand couple the antenna to the second modem based on the communicationhandoff.

Aspect 17: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-16, whereinthe first frequency and the second frequency are the same frequency.

Aspect 18: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-17, whereinthe first frequency includes at least a portion of a K_(u)-band,K_(a)-band, or L-band.

Aspect 19: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-18, whereinthe communication indicator includes at least one of the following:signal strength received at the first modem, signal strength received atthe second modem, comparative signal strength received between the firstmodem and the second modem, and distance between the mobile communicatorand the first and/or second satellite.

Aspect 20: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-19, whereinthe mobile platform is an air-based transport, a land-based transport,or a sea-based transport.

Aspect 21: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-20, furthercomprising a replaceable line unit attached to the mobile platform,wherein at least a portion of the controller is housed within thereplaceable line unit.

Aspect 22: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 13-21 coupledto a wireless local area network including an end-user wireless device,wherein the controller is configured to support bi-directionalcommunication to and from the end-user wireless device.

Aspect 23: A mobile communicator for communicating with a first andsecond satellite station included among one or more networks ofsatellite stations, the mobile communicator attached to a mobileplatform and comprising: an antenna facilitating communication betweenthe mobile communicator and the one or more networks of satellitestations; a first modem coupled to the antenna and configured tocommunicate with the first satellite station over a first frequency; amemory device storing a map of the one or more networks of satellitestations including the second satellite station; a first controllercoupled to the first modem, the first controller utilizing the map ofthe one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the secondsatellite station for communication with the mobile communicator; asecond modem configured to communicate with the second satellite stationover a second frequency, wherein the first controller is configured tocalculate a time to handoff communication from the first modem to thesecond modem and timely initiate the communication handoff based on thecalculated time; and a second controller configured to position theantenna toward the second satellite based on the communication handoff.

Aspect 24: The mobile communicator of aspect 23, wherein thecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link is based on a communication indicator.

Aspect 25: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 23-24, whereinthe mobile platform is an air-based transport, a land-based transport,or a sea-based transport.

Aspect 26: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 23-25, whereinthe antenna is enclosed within a radome affixed to or integral with tothe mobile platform.

Aspect 27: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 23-26, whereinthe first frequency includes one of a K_(u)-band, K_(a)-band, or anL-band.

Aspect 28: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 23-27, whereinthe communication indicator includes one or more of the following:signal strength received at the first modem, signal strength received atthe second modem, comparative signal strength received between the firstmodem and the second modem, and the distance between the mobilecommunicator and the first and/or second satellite.

Aspect 29: The mobile communicator of any one of aspects 23-28 coupledto a wireless local area network including an end-user wireless device,wherein the first controller or the second controller is configured tosupport bi-directional communication to and from the end-user wirelessdevice.

Aspect 30: A method of communicating between a controller mounted to amobile platform and a pair of satellite stations included among one ormore networks of satellite stations, the method comprising: utilizing afirst modem and establishing, via one or more processors, a firstcommunication link between the controller and a first satellite station;utilizing one or more maps of the one or more networks of satellitestations and determining, via one or more processors, a second satellitestation for communication with the controller; utilizing a second modemand establishing, via one or more processors, a second communicationlink between the controller and the second satellite station;calculating , via one or more processors, a time to handoffcommunication from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link based on the analysis of the one or morecommunication indicators; preparing, via one or more processors, thefirst and second modems for the communication handoff from the firstcommunication link to the second communication link; and, initiating thecommunication handoff, via one or more processors, based on thecalculated time.

Aspect 31: The method of aspect 30, further comprising: receiving, viaone or more processors, one or more communication indicators; andanalyzing, via one or more processors, the one or more communicationindicators, wherein the communication handoff is based on the analyzedone or more communication indicators.

Aspect 32: The method of any of aspects 30-31, further comprising:terminating, via one or more processors, the first communication link;and coupling, via one or more processors, an antenna to the secondcommunication link.

Aspect 33: The method of any one of aspects 30-32 further comprising:positioning, via one or more processors, the antenna toward the secondsatellite station to improve communication over the second communicationlink.

Aspect 34: The method of any one of aspects 30-33, further comprising:communicating with the first or second satellite station over afrequency band that includes one of a K_(u)-band, K_(a)-band, or L-band.

Aspect 35: The method of any one of aspects 30-34, wherein calculating atime to handoff communication includes determining a distance from themobile communicator to the second satellite station.

Aspect 36: The method of any one of aspects 30-35, wherein calculating atime to handoff communication includes at least one of the following:evaluating signal strength received at the first modem, evaluatingsignal strength received at the second modem, comparing signal strengthof the first and second communication links, and comparing distancebetween the mobile platform and the first satellite station to distancebetween the mobile platform and the second satellite station.

Aspect 37: The method of any one of aspects 30-36, further comprising:supporting, via one or more processors, bi-directional communication toand from an end-user wireless device.

1. A method of communicating between a mobile platform and one or moresatellite stations of one or more networks of satellite stations, themethod comprising: establishing, via one or more processors, a firstcommunication link between the mobile platform and a first satellitestation; utilizing one or more maps of the one or more networks ofsatellite stations and determining, via the one or more processors, asecond satellite station for communication with the mobile platform;establishing, via the one or more processors, a second communicationlink between the mobile platform and the second satellite station;calculating, via the one or more processors, a time to initiate acommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link; and, initiating, via the one or more processors, thecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link based on the calculated time.
 2. The method ofcommunicating of claim 1, further comprising: terminating, via one ormore processors, the first communication link; coupling, via the one ormore processors, an antenna to the second communication link; andpositioning, via the one or more processors, the antenna toward thesecond satellite station to improve communication over the secondcommunication link.
 3. The method of communicating of claim 1, whereincalculating a time to initiate the communication handoff includes atleast one of the following: determining a distance from the mobileplatform to the second satellite station; evaluating signal strengthreceived via the first communication link, evaluating signal strengthreceived via the second communication link, comparing signal strength ofthe first and second communication links, and comparing distance betweenthe mobile platform and the first satellite station to distance betweenthe mobile platform and the second satellite station.
 4. The method ofcommunicating of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via the one ormore processors, one or more communication indicators; analyzing, viathe one or more processors, the one or more communication indicators,wherein calculating the time to initiate the communication handoff fromthe first communication link to the second communication link based onthe analysis of the one or more communication indicators.
 5. The methodof communicating of claim 4, wherein the communication indicatorincludes at least one of the following: signal strength received via thefirst communication link, signal strength received via the secondcommunication link, comparative/relative signal strength receivedbetween the first communication link and the second communication link,and the distance between the mobile platform and the first and/or secondsatellite.
 6. The method of communicating of claim 1, wherein the firstand/or second communication link includes a wireless local area network(WLAN) onboard the mobile platform.
 7. A controller attached to a mobileplatform and facilitating communication with a first and secondsatellite station included among one or more networks of satellitestations, the controller comprising: a processor operatively coupled toa memory device; and a set of instructions stored on the memory device,which when executed by the processor, cause the controller to: establisha first communication link between the mobile platform and the firstsatellite station; utilize one or more maps of the one or more networksof satellite stations and determine the second satellite station forcommunication with the mobile platform; establish a second communicationlink between the mobile platform and the second satellite station;calculate a time to initiate communication handoff from the firstcommunication link to the second communication link; and, initiate thecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link based on the calculated time.
 8. The controller ofclaim 7, wherein the calculated time to initiate the communicationhandoff from the first communication link to the second communicationlink is based on analysis by the processor of a communication indicator.9. The controller of claim 8, wherein the communication indicatorincludes at least one of the following: signal strength received via thefirst communication link, signal strength received via the secondcommunication link, comparative/relative signal strength receivedbetween the first communication link and the second communication link,and the distance between the mobile platform and the first and/or secondsatellite.
 10. The controller of claim 7, further comprising: an antennacoupled to the first communication link and positioned toward the firstsatellite station to facilitate communication with the first satellitestation over a first frequency, wherein the processor is configured toposition the antenna toward the second satellite station based on thecalculated time to initiate communication handoff.
 11. The controller ofclaim 10, wherein the antenna is enclosed within a radome affixed to orintegral with the mobile platform.
 12. The controller of claim 10,wherein the first frequency includes at least a portion of a K_(u)-band,K_(a)-band, or L-band.
 13. The controller of claim 7, wherein the firstand/or second communication link includes a wireless local area network(WLAN).
 14. The controller of claim 7, wherein the mobile platform is anair-based transport, a land-based transport, or a sea-based transport.15. The controller of claim 7, further comprising a replaceable lineunit attached to the mobile platform, wherein at least a portion of thecontroller is housed within the replaceable line unit.
 16. A mobileplatform configured to communicate with a first and second satellitestation included among one or more networks of satellite stations, themobile platform comprising: a controller including a processor and amemory device, wherein the processor and the memory device areoperatively coupled together; a first communication link establishedbetween the mobile platform and the first satellite station; and one ormore maps of the one or more networks of satellite stations accessibleto the mobile platform, wherein the processor utilizes the one or moremaps of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine thesecond satellite station for communicating with the mobile platform viaa second communication link established between the mobile platform andthe second satellite station, and calculates a time to initiatecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link.
 17. The mobile platform of claim 16, wherein thecalculated time to initiate the communication handoff from the firstcommunication link to the second communication link is based on analysisby the processor of a communication indicator, wherein the communicationindicator includes at least one of the following: signal strengthreceived via the first communication link, signal strength received viathe second communication link, comparative/relative signal strengthreceived between the first communication link and the secondcommunication link, and the distance between the mobile platform and thefirst and/or second satellite.
 18. The mobile platform of claim 16,further comprising: an antenna capable of being coupled to the firstcommunication link or the second communication link, wherein thecontroller positions the antenna for communication with the secondsatellite station based on the calculated time to initiate thecommunication handoff from the first communication link to the secondcommunication link.
 19. The mobile platform of claim 16, furthercomprising: an antenna coupled to the first communication link, whereinthe controller is configured to decouple the antenna from the firstcommunication link and couple the antenna to the second communicationlink based on the calculated time to initiate the communication handofffrom the first communication link to the second communication link. 20.The mobile platform of claim 16, wherein the controller is configured tosupport bi-directional communication to and from an end-user wirelessdevice operatively coupled to a wireless local network (WAN) onboard themobile platform.